bidding him look hopefully forward to a happy reunion in
the land of the spirit, the home of the soul! Almost nightly in dreams,
she came to him, when for happy hours they were again united in the
enjoyment of the old familiar companionship, so dear to his waking
memories.

"Through Gilbert's mediumship, his parents became spiritualists. This
happened some months before I visited them in St. Louis, on my first
trip west, from Newburgh. Some months later, the family came to Solaris.

"In a recent conversation, speaking to me of his life work, his hopes
and his ambitions, Gilbert said: 'Fillmore, I know that my life here
will be short. I know that I have a work to do here on this farm, for
the future benefit of my brothers and sisters in earth life. I know that
in spirit life, Rita waits for me to join her, when that work is
finished. I now realize that swiftly passing days, weeks, months and
years, are precious portions of time which I must improve to the utmost.
I know that this primary school of life has many useful lessons, which I
must master as quickly as possible. I know that the sooner they are
mastered, the sooner I shall be prepared to enter a higher class in
spirit life. I know that as a spirit, in that land of golden sunlight,
freed from the burden of this unsightly prison of flesh, I shall be
clothed in a spiritual body as symmetrically perfect as my highest ideal
can picture. I know that thus clothed, and crowned with the perpetual
youth of the spirit; I shall again be united with my darling Rita, never
more to part. Together, in obedience to the law of an infinite love, we
shall go hand in hand, up the paths of wisdom which lead to the summits
of the hills of everlasting progress. I know that during my sojourn
here, when I am weary and most need the healing balm of her presence, my
Rita can come to cheer and help me. Knowing all this, life is full of
promise! I have no time to be sad or lonely! The world is bright! I am
ambitious to make its people my friends, by creating for them, better
and brighter conditions for the enjoyment of life.'

"This, my dear Fern! is the romance, which like some secret charm,
Gilbert wears in his heart. His armor against all evil! The bright star
of his ambition! The beacon light of his hope!"

"The romance is indeed a most extraordinary one! The story is
exquisitely beautiful! Its pathos fills my heart with both joy and
sadness! In the development of his mediumship, follo